Garment support



March 17, 1 931.

w. woLFF GARMENT SUPPORT FiledJan. 14, 1929 aff" JZ/ 2 Sheets-Sheefl 2lil/HT www i my Patented Mar. 17, 1931 autres sra'res PATENT OFFICEWALTER- JJOLFEJ OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FIFTH T0 ROBERT H.WENDT, 0F CHICAGO7 ILLINOIS GARMIENT SUPPORT Application filed January14, 1929. Serial No. 332,347.

The present invention relates to garment supports, and is particularlyconcerned with garment supports for closets and the like.

None of the garment supports of the prior art have been found capable ofsupporting any substantial Weight of clothes Without sagging, so thatthe coat or garment hangers `slide down to the end of the cantilever orhanger arm, piling up at the end or sliding olf at the end of thesupport. The sagging which is inherent in the prior garment supports ofthe cantilever type, renders them commercially impractical, and theprior devices have also been relatively expensive in construction,requiring special dies and machinery. Furthermore, the prior deviceshave not been adaptable to closets of various sizes and shapes, nor havethey been capable of utilizing all of the closet space and at the sametime giving free access to every gar ment and part of the closet. Y

Y One of the objects of the invention is the provi-sion of an improvedcommercial form of garment support which is adapted to movably support aWardrobe of suliicient size to lill an ordinary closet, in such mannerthat the clothing is all accessible and so that the complete assemblymay be moved out of the closet to give access to the floor space,shelves or hooks carried by the Walls.

Another object is the provision of a garment support Which is adaptableto closets of any shape or size, andthe parts of which are reversiblefor use on the right-hand or lefth and side of the d oor.

Another object is the provision of a garment support of the classdescribed, which is strong and durable and yet light enough in Weight tobe carried by the fra-me structure of the closet or door, and a. garmentsupport in which the inherent sag of the devices of the prior art hasbeen eliminated,

Another object is the provision of a garment support which may be socheaply manufactured that it will be Within the mea-ns of a vast numberof purchasers for use in homes,

apartments, hotels and in every environment Where economy of space isimportant.

. Another object is theprovlsion of a novel supporting bracket fordevices of the class described, Which is adapted to be firmly secured toa door frame with a minimum of screws, and in such manner as to supportan extremely heavy wardrobe.

Another object is the provision of a novel braking mechanism for garmentsupport-s of the class described, which is adapted to releasably holdthe hanger arms in any adjusted position.

Another object is the provision of a novel garment support of thecantilever type which is lighter and stronger than the devices of theprior art and Which may be constructed of a minimum of material.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description` and from the accompanying drawings, in whichsimilar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout theseveral view-s. Y

Referring to the drawings, of which there are two sheets;

Fig. 1 is a vieiv in perspective of my garment support;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the garment support attached to a door frame;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4t is an elevational view in partial seetion, showing a modifiedform of construction of the cantilever pivot;

Fig. 5 is a Aview in perspective and partial cross section, takenmedially of the pivots of the hanger arms, showing the device forretaining the hanger arms in any adjusted position;

6 is a sectional vieu' on the line 6 6 of one of the hanger arms;

Fig. 7 is a sectional *view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 5, looking inthe direction of the arrows;

Fig. 8 is a plan view showing an installation in a closet having thedoor non-symmetrically located;

Fig. 9 is a plan View of an installation in a closet having its door atthe end of the closet.

Referring to Figs. l and 2, l0 indicates in its entirety my garmentsupporting device, which preferably includes a support-ing Inn bracket11, a cantilever 12 and one or more hanger supporting arms 13 and 14.The bracket 11 is adapted to be secured to the wall ot a closet in orderto pivotally support the cantileverl 12 and hanger arms 13 and 1st inproper. position within the closet-'as shown in Figs.8''or 9, andtopermit'thepivotal movement of the entire assembly of garment support andclothing outside of the closet so that all'pint-sofy the closet'are'readily accessible.

Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, the two-installations illustrated are merelyexemplary of conditions which may be readily 'met by using hanger armsof ditlerentlengths, and it is contemplated that with a limited supplyof cantileversand hangenfarms ci' A diterent lengths, "any ordinaryclosetfmay'bev satisfactorily equipped with one ot' the' garmentsupports. Y

Referring to Fig. 8*,f15fi'n'dicates a closet havinga door opening 16`non-symmetrically located at*'one end ot the closet Las is often thecase, and the garment support 10 is there- Ytore provided 'with arms 1?and 1dr ot' lunequal'length. Tlrus the arm 13 is adapted to projectbackward-into vthe rear end ot the closet and 'utilize the space atthisend of the closet and at the same time, both'of the arms may 'bepivotcd insuch vmanner that the Aentire nevice may beY swung out of thedoor 16. In any event, the hanger arms should bc shortenough to clearthedoorway 16 when the caiitilever'is moved to thedott'ed 'line positioninlfig. 8. y. v s

Referring 'to Fig. 9, the same' devi'celias been instal ed in a closet17 havinga door opening 18 at its enchand the hangcr'arnis are shown atright angles to each other, leaving the longer arm 1o projecting intothe iutcrior of the closet. lt'will thus be observed thatV the wall otthe closet may be provided with a plurality of hooks 19, with shelvesQt) and the floor space may be utilized tor trunks 2l. and as thecntiregarment support may be pivotallynnoied outside of the closet. allot l floor spaceand wall spacis readily acle. Fluthermore, the4garmentson the suj'iport'arc conveniently disposed for selection". orthey may be'nioved to `the outer dotted liueposition 'tor the purpose etallowing the clothing to'air. rihe "clothes hang rs 22 on the hangerarms 13 and le are merely indicated'diagralninatically,*as any forni ofcoat hanger-,pants hanger orother clothes hanger may beuscd. s s s `@neo'ethemost important teaturesot' the present- 'inv'entiou' isthe'provision or" a novel cantilever construction which actual-lycapable ot .,ripporting' a considerable weight of clothing' withoutsagging," ade't'ect which is inherent in all of the devices of the priorart.

l am aware that sheet metal devices for holding garments have beenconstructed, and other devices'havepivotal arms, but none of .,ployed inthe vdevices of the prior art, since any looseness in the pivots or anybending in the armsis magnified at the endv of thecantileverarm.

VAnother important feature of the present invention is the provision ofa bracket for rgarment supports of the class described,

which is capable of being firmly attached to a door frame or other partof the closet wall in such manner that itis capable of supporting theweight ot the. garment support and the clothes carried thereby, withoutsagging or without tearing loose from the wall. In order to accomplishthis' result, the bracket 11 has been constructed with a pair ofattaching flanges 23 and 24 at right angles to each other and adapted toextend parallel to the portions of the wall adjacent a corner.

Each of the flanges 23 and Eel is provided with spaced apertures 25preferably located in such position that the screws 26 will eX- tendthrough the trim 27 into the stud 28, and the flanges 23 and 24' shouldbe of substantial length t'o provide asubstantial area oi bearingsurface against the corner ot' the door frame. It will thus vbe observedthat when the bracket 11 is installedas shown in Fig. 2,' and the' partsare in the position of Fig. 2, the upper portion of the. flange 23 willbear-against the inside trim "27 and theonly screw; which is subjectedto any outward pull is'lthe lower screw 'in the bracket 23, `the twoscrews 26 -inv the bracket 2l are subjected to a lateral thrust whichthey are well adapted to withstand,` and this lateral' thrust islprincipally taken by the flange Qfbearing against Vtbetrim 27.

Vhen the parts of the hanger are disposed asishown in ig. 9, the upperattachingscrews are subjected to a lateral thrust which has a smallcomponent tending to pull the screws outward, while the lowerscrews 2Gare not subjected to any substantial strain, since the lower Apart of'the bracket-tends to Apress against the corner. It willv be evident thatthe particular bracket construction shown is capable of providing`anextremely irm connection to a door trameor the like by means ci a veryfew screws', and the present device may be installedby any layman orhouse owner not particularly skilled in 'the art, with 4the sameVsuccess as a skilled carpenter,

since'the holesmay be disposed, so that the screws furnished 'will havetobe driven directly into the stud 'which constitutes the firme-st partofthedoor frame, and since the rightangled tl'inges reintoi'ce .achother.

The bracket;ll'isprovided with a pair of laterally projecting bearingmembers 29 and 30 preferably formed integrally with the bracket whichmay be constructed of cast iron, steel, aluminum or any other metal. Inits cheapest form, the entire garment support is constructed of castiron, which may be coated with colored enamel or dipped in paint, but ifdesired, the entire device may be nickel plated or otherwise coated, toIwithstand corrosion, in the moreV expensive devices.

The bearing members 29 and 30 are prefer ably of substantial thicknessin order that a substantial bearing surface may be provided,

and the bearings 3.1 and 32 comprise accurately formed cylindrical borescapable of receiving the pintle 33 with a relatively close lit. Thepintle 33 comprises a cylindrical bolt of steel or iron having a head 34and adapted to be slid endwise into the bearings 32 and 33.

lThe cantilever 12 comprises a cast metal member which is preferablycurved longitudinally at 35 in order that its outer end 36 may swingfarther away from the door opening, clearing the door 37. Furthermore,the curvature of the cantilever 12 enables the user to locate a securingbracket on the interior of the closet and at the same time have thehanger arms swing around the door frame to the outside of the closet. Insome einbodiments of myinvention, the curvature of the centilever armmay be eliminated.

In order that the hanger arm may resist the torsional strain which isplaced upon it when one of the hanger arms 13 or 14 is unequally loaded,I provide the cantilever with a plurality of longitudinally extendingflanges 38, 39, 4() and 41, making the cantilever substantiallycruciforni in section in the embodiment shown. The upper and lowerflanges 38 and 39 are peculiarly adapted to strengthen the cantileveragainst bending strains caused by the weight of objects attached to theouter end of the cantilever at 36, while the lateral flanges 40 and 41are adapted to further increase the strength of the arm againsttorsional strains. such as would be produced in the arm by the use ofarms of unequal lengths or by swinging of both of the hanger arms 13 and14 to one side of the cantilever at the same time.

At each end of the cantilever 12, the lever is increased in width at 42to provide a bearing portion 42 of substantial length transversely tothe cantilever, and the bearing portion 42 is also provided with anaccurately formed cylindrical aperture 43 extending from top to bottomand adapted to form a close fit with the pintle 32.

By making the bearing portion 42 of increased length longitudinally ofthe bearing 43, the amount of play in the bearing'is greatly reduced,eliminating any possibility of sagging due to the pivotal connection atlarge area of bearing surface insures a pivotal support without sagging,for a long period of use.

`If desired, the cylindrical portion 44 intermediate tlie bearings 43may be removed as shown in Fig. 4, forming a cantilever end which isbifurcated,having spaced bearings 43 formed in legs 45 and 46. Thelaterally projecting 'fianges 40 and 41 are also bifurcated and extendedto the legs 45 and 46 to increaseV the strength of the cantilever.

At its opposite end'36, the cantilever 12 is bifurcated to provide apair of bearing members 47 and 48 best shown in Figs. 5 and 7, and thebearing members 47 and 48 may be provided with a plurality ofcylindrical bearing apertures 49, 50, 51 and 52 for supporting as manyhanger arms 13 and 14 as are desired. One of the bearing members 47 isprovided with a threaded aperture 53 adapted to receive a screw bolt 54for engaging a pla-te 55 which forms a friction device engaging the hubs56 of the hanger arms 13 and 14 to retain them in any adjusted position.n

The hanger Yarms 13 and 14 comprise elongated metal kmembers which arealso preferably formed of cast metal in order to economically providethe type of bearing land the strength which is required in a hanger arm.Each hanger arm preferably includes a substantially cylindrical hub 56which is pro vided -with a transversely extending cylindrical aperture57 adapted to closely fit a pintle 58, and the vpiiitles 58 may compriseordinary cylindrical steel bolts having heads 59 for determining theirfinal position in the bearing..

As the pintles 58 and 32 are arranged vertically, they may always bedisposed with their heads on top so that no other fastening means arerequired, particularly in view of the fact that a close frictional t ishighly desirable to eliminate any possibility of looseness or sag at thepivots. The plate comprises a plate of sheet metal having apertures 6()to receive the pintles 58 and suiicient space is provided between thebearing members 47 and 48 so that there is room for the plate 55 betweenone of the bearing members 47 and the hubs 56.` The plate 5 5 may thenbe urged against the ends of the hub 56 by the screw bolt 54constituting an adjustable friction device which will retain the hangerarms 13 and 14 in any adjusted position. Where such a friction device isnot employed, the hanger arms will naturally gravitateto the lowestposition resulting from the installation of the bracket 11, and thisposition may not be the most desirable location of the hanger armswithin thev closet.

' The friction device will'also rhold the arms IBG 1 upwardy towarditsouter en d.

in disposition to which they may beiturhed when swinging the'cantilever:in or out ,of the ]oset, and this is also very l important as it isvdesirablethat the arms beswung to such a point that the clothing will,clear the door without rubbing or dis-placing'the clothing on thehangers. The friction deviceV thus renders the control of thegarment-,support possible vin both itsl permanentposition in theclosetand inthe movement of the clothing in or out of the closet.

Referring to ig. I5, it will be observed that the npper Aor body portionA(il of the hanger arms slopesslightly upward from the hub 56. Thisupward slope is purposely exaggerated in the drawing in order toillustrate this feature more clearly.k I/Vheirone of the hanger arms 1.3or-lly is: loadedalone, or when -both hanger arms extend toward thesameside of E the cantilever 12, a slightamount oftorsion al flexibilityin thecantilever arm. l2 tends to slightlyy lower the outer end 62 ofthe hanger arm, and consequently yit is desirable to have the body ofthehanger arm slope. slightly The hanger arm yis 4 also provided with anupwardly extendingstop 63 at its outer end for the purpose of preventingthe hooks of the hanger from sliding off thearimand it desired, theAbody 6l ,1 nay have a plurality of notches64 `for locating the hooks ofthe hanser- In order ,to provide a hanger arm having the requisitedegree of stiffness, I formf the n s n* i arm with a longitudinally.extendingflange (i-best illustrated 4in Figs. ,5Y and 6, and the flange65 I may ,be tapered from the hub 56 to the outer fen :lu62 ot' thearm,thus providing an arm of a maximum strengt-h, Without- ,undulyVincreasing-,the Weight of the structure which must always be supportedbythe cantilever 1 2.

It Will thus v beobserved that the garment .support described is capableof supporting an extremelyheavy Weight of clothi'ngyvithouty anyappreciable sag, and the clothing may be moved from the interior of thelcloset to the exterior ot the closet for the purpose of giving accessleither to the closet orto the clothing, as previously v pointed out.

The relatively stiff construction and the elimination of thesag ,which..has, been inherentfin `thefdevices of' theprior art is the result Vofthe, peculiar construction of the f.. presentdevice comprising `thestiff arms and the accurately formed and elongatedlbealring surfacesextending transversely ,to the arms. The supporting bracket is alsopeculiarly adapted to provide a hrm mode of supporting the. device onthe Wall of the closet, and the f rictionydevice is adapted to retainthe hanger arms in any adjusted position te preventfthe hangers fromswinging, against 'the Wall-:vof the closetpr against theldoorway.

vrWhile 4I-"have illust-rated a-,prelerred embrodinientof my invention,`many modifications may' beQ-nrade Without departing from the spiritofthe invention, and I do not Wish to.4 be, l'i 1 nited to theprecise'details ofA construction setfortln-but desire toavail myselfot',l all changes Within the scope of the appended clailn.

Having thus describedmy invention, what I claim is neiv and desire tosecure by Letters Patentfo" the United States, is

In a garmentfsupport, the combination of a Ainet-al bracket having aLpair of flangesy en tending at right angles and a pair ot bearings,`with a hanger arm vhaving a bearing adapted to be received between' thebearings on said bracket, a pinl extending through the bearings ofsaidvv bracket andsaid arm'to pivot-ally mount said arm on said bracket,laterally Vprojecting and vertically projecting` flanges on said arm toresist torsional strain,` bearing flanges carried by the end ot said armand a pair of hanger arms each having a4 bearing` located between saidbearflanges, said hanger arms being pivotallyT mounted on separate pins,a resilient plate engagingY the lends ot the bearings of said hangerarms, and adjustable meanst'or reguiating the vamount ot" frictionbetween said plate and' hanger armv bearings.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this llthday ofJanuary, 1929.

IVALTER IVOLFF.

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